Shopping Day: How to plan a fun wedding dress shopping trip

So, what are you going to wear? Que the anxiety. But fear not—these three quick tips will help prepare you for that long-awaited first bridal appointment.

Choose your posse carefully

The most important, but often unspoken, rule of wedding dress shopping is to have your key players with you to help you shop. The guests you bring to your appointment will influence your experience. Many brides desire to have a large group, such as their entire bridal party, come with them as they search for their perfect gown. Though this approach can be right for some brides, it is not for everyone. There can be too much of a good thing, so be careful! Bring only the people you can’t imagine not having with when you buy your wedding dress. By keeping your group intimate, supportive, and positive, your hunt for the dress of your dreams will be what it should be—fun AND successful!

Wear the Right Underwear

With every decision to make and lots of little details to pay attention to during your appointment, the last thing you want to worry about is seeing what’s underneath the gowns. Based on your comfort level and desired style of dress, carefully choosing your undergarments before your appointment will allow for you to clearly see how your bridal style will come to life. Some wedding dresses are designed with enough structure to be worn without a bra. Newer, form-fitting silhouettes will even include built-in shapewear, allowing you to potentially forgo thick undergarments during your appointments and on the day of your wedding. If you’re fuller chested, wearing a smoothing, supportive bra will help the gowns define your shape–bonus points if it’s convertible! Shapewear is great for assisting with posture and smoothing everything out. Whatever you choose to wear, make sure that you can move around comfortably and that you have a great fit.

Don’t Forget Snacks

Let’s face it, we all get hangry sometimes. And trying on wedding dresses, even for a short time, is a workout! Nothing will derail your appointment quite like the blend of emotions hanger can bring. Make sure to keep plenty of snacks on hand not only for you but also for your group—they will need to eat too! Remember to eat in between your appointments! Whether you go out to brunch with your posse or grab something quick on the way over, shopping when you feel focused and ready will yield the greatest results.

We know that shopping for your wedding dress is not easy—sometimes it can be quite a stressful process! By giving yourself plenty of time, doing some research before appointments, and staying positive throughout the shopping experience, you’ll be saying “I DO” in no time!